INDONESIA
1.INDONESIA NOMINATES HEALTH MINISTER FOR WHO DIRECTOR-GENERAL -- ANTARA
Indonesia has officially nominated Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin for the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in a major push to reform global health governance and amplify the voice of developing nations.
2.INDONESIA YET TO DISCUSS MALAYSIA'S OFFER ON FOREST FIRES -- ANTARA
Indonesia has yet to discuss an offer from Malaysia to help tackle forest and land fires, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman said on Monday.
LAOS
1.CALL FOR TOUGH ACTION AGAINST CRIME -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Authorities are urging tougher action against drug-related problems, online scams, robbery and other social ills. They urge police to crack down on entertainment venues operating beyond permitted hours.
2.LABOUR SHORTAGE TROUBLE BUSINESS -- VIENTIANE NEWS
The government is trying to resolve the labour shortage as businesses struggle to recruit workers. Many Laotians prefer overseas jobs due to better wages and living conditions.
MYANMAR
1.MAJOR BOOST TO HEALTHCARE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Health Ministry has appointed newly graduated medical doctors and dental surgeons as civil service officers at a ceremony held yesterday at the Myanmar Convention Centre in Yangon.
2.UPGRADING SPORTS FACILITIES FOR YOUTH -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Parliament was informed yesterday of plans to upgrade stadiums and a gymnasium in Kyaukse District in Mandalay Region and build a training school for children and young people with disabilities in Shan State.
PHILIPPINES
1.ASEAN COOPERATION TO SECURE REGIONAL FOOD SUPPLY AMID CLIMATE RISK -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday underscored the significance of regional cooperation in Southeast Asia to ensure a stable food supply despite emerging climate and geopolitical risks.
2.PHILIPPINES TO HOST EAST ASIA BASEBALL CUP IN DECEMBER -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Philippines will host the East Asia Cup on Dec. 7-13 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
SINGAPORE
1.SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT WORRIED AI MAY BREAK 'BOTTOM RUNG' OF CAREER LADDER FOR YOUNG WORKERS: PM WONG - CNA
The government is concerned that artificial intelligence may be breaking the “bottom rung” of the career ladder, leaving young workers with too little training, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Monday.
2.GOVTS MUST INCENTIVISE PRIVATE SECTOR TO HIRE FRESH GRADS AMID DECLINING ENTRY-LEVEL ROLES: PRESIDENT-- THE STRAITS TIME
With global hiring for entry-level roles falling due to disruption by artificial intelligence, governments will have to partner the private sector to encourage the hiring of fresh graduates, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Oct 12.
THAILAND
1.HEAVY RAIN WARNING ISSUED FOR WESTERN AND SOUTHERN THAILAND -- THE NATION
Thailand’s Joint Information and Communication Center (JICC) has warned western and southern provinces to prepare for heavy rain from October 13-18, with Uthai Thani, Phetchaburi and several southern provinces among areas requiring close monitoring.
2.EKNITI PUSHES AI FOR ALL -- BANGKOK POST
Better jobs, stronger skills and broader access to the benefits of Al are Thailand's key priorities as the technology transforms work and business, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said.
VIETNAM
1.SAIGON FOOTBRIDGE ARCH TO BE JOINED -- VIETNAMPLUS
The main arch of Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon River pedestrian bridge is due to be joined on October 21, after its 3,400-metric-tonne steel structure passed load tests at the factory.
2.POWER SUPPLY NEEDED TO DRIVE GROWTH -- VIETNAMPLUS
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said securing adequate power supplies is essential to achieving socio-economic development goals in 2026, paving the way for breakthroughs in 2027 and beyond.
-- BERNAMA